[This information is from Vol. III, pp. 1131-1132 of Hudson-Mohawk Genealogical and Family Memoirs, edited by Cuyler Reynolds (New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1911). It is in the Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at R 929.1 R45. Some of the formatting of the original, especially in lists of descendants, may have been altered slightly for ease of reading.]

The progenitor of the Shields family of Albany was Dr. Andrew Shields, a graduate of Edinburgh University, who settled in the north of Ireland where he engaged in the practice of his profession.

(II) Adam, son of Dr. Andrew Shields, was born in Ireland in 1798, came to the United States in 1819 and settled in Albany, New York. He was for a time in the employ of Levi Solomon, a dealer in tobacco and at that time a leader in the trade. In 1833 Mr. Shields entered into partnership with Samuel Townsend under the firm name of Townsend & Shields. They began the manufacture and sale of tobaccos, and became firmly established in their line. In 1836 the death of Mr. Townsend dissolved the firm, which was succeeded by Chapman, Shields & Taylor, continuing until 1840, when Mr. Shields withdrew. In 1850 he again engaged in business, associating with him Daniel Adams, under the firm name of Shields & Adams. They established the tobacco manufacturing business that is still continued in the family name (1910). In 1860 Mr. Adams withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Shields admitted his son Francis as a partner; Shields & Son continued in a most successful business until 1880 when Adam Shields withdrew. He died in 1888. He was a most capable business man and achieved financial success. He married at Albany, July 3, 1821, Mary Eldridge, of Springfield, Connecticut. Children:

Francis, see forward;

Sarah, died young;

Elizabeth, died 1909, married Benjamin Myers;

Adam, deceased;

Mary, died young;

William, deceased.

(III) Francis, eldest son of Adam and Mary (Eldridge) Shields, was born in Albany, New York, August 22, 1822. He was educated in that city, and was early employed in the business conducted by his father. In 1860 he was admitted a partner of the firm of Shields & Son. After the death of Adam Shields, Francis continued the business under his own name. He continued a successful business career until his death, April 17, 1910. He was a Democrat in politics. He was a man of rare ability, and liberal in his support of churches and schools. He was identified with the Madison Avenue Reformed Church. He married, February 26, 1871, Charlotte A. Holmes, born in Albany, New York. Children:

Francis A., who continues the tobacco manufacturing business of Francis Shields established by his grandfather in Albany. He married, October 1, 1894, Jane Liecty, and has a son Francis A. (2).

Elizabeth May, deceased.

Mabel Eldridge, married Thomas F. Wood, an attorney-at-law of Albany.

Henry Holmes, deceased.

Charlotte A. (Holmes) Shields is a daughter of Joseph Mason (2) Holmes of Connecticut, son of Joseph Mason (1) Holmes, born in Stonington, Connecticut. He married, January 12, 1845, Elizabeth Herrington, of Albany. Children:

Lucinda, died at age of nineteen years.

Henry J., died May 29, 1904; married Phoebe C. Vail, of Pennsylvania.

Charlotte A.

Joseph Mason (1) Holmes had children: Rhoda Ann, Phoebe Esther, Lucinda, Elmira, and Joseph Mason (2) Holmes. Elizabeth (Herrington) Holmes, was a daughter of John and Maria (Schermerhorn) Herrington, through the latter she descends from the early Dutch families, Bradt and Schermerhorn, tracing to Jacob Janse Schermerhorn, through his son Ryer (1), who married Antje, daughter of Arent Arentse Bradt, and widow of Helmer Otten.

Benjamin Herenton (Herrington) died in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1687. He was an intimate friend of Roger Williams, with whom he was connected by marriage. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Elizabeth White, of Boston, Massachusetts, and had children: Sarah, Alice, Mary, Benjamin, Joseph, William, John, see forward; Thomas and Isaac.

(II) John, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (White) Herenton, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, died in Scituate, Rhode Island, in 1736. He received a gift from his father of a large tract of land in Scituate south of Bennett hill, on which he built a dwelling and lived. Deeds of gift covering this tract were made to his five sons, dated 1729-31-36. He married, and was a widower before 1729. Children: John, Josiah, see forward: Amos, Jonathan, Stephen, Elizabeth.

(III) Josiah, son of John Herenton, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, May 16, 1702 died there October 19, 1786. In the deed of gift received from his father of land in Scituate, the name is Herenden. In his will proved 1787 the name is spelled Herenton. He was a surveyor and assisted in the final survey of the town in 1724. He married, November 8, 1724, Elizabeth Bennett, whose father was a farmer and mill owner. Children: Jonathan, Josiah (2), Elizabeth, Nathan, Martha, Mary, Silas, see forward; and Simeon.

(IV) Silas, son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Bennett) Herenton, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, June 4, 1740, died December 8, 1819. He was a revolutionary soldier, farmer and inventor of the first grain cradle used in America. In 1784 he moved with ox team and sleds to Hoosick, New York, where he died. He married, May 2, 1768, Freelove, daughter of John and Martha (Young) Fisk, and granddaughter of Phineas and Amy (Caldwell) Fisk, of Greenwich, Rhode Island. Children: Philip, Joseph, Amy, Lucy, Silas (2), Josiah, Freelove, John, David and Jonathan. The descendants of Silas began spelling the name as now used — Herrington.

(V) Philip Herrington, son of Silas and Freelove (Fisk) Herenton, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, December 3, 1771, died in Hoosick, Rensselaer county, New York, January 24, 1851. He was a farmer and real estate dealer, much respected in his community and an undisputed authority on land titles. He married, May 29, 1797, Persis Spaulding, daughter of Elijah and Sibyl (Scribner) Spaulding. Elijah was a revolutionary soldier, and was engaged at the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga. Children: John, David, Elijah, William, Hannah, Elizabeth, Persis, Philip (2), Deborah, Lucinda, Matilda, all known by the surname Herrington. Elizabeth (Herrington) Holmes was a daughter of John Herrington, eldest son of Philip Herrington.